The United States has ended its nearly 20-year war with Afghanistan Monday, as withdrawal efforts have been completed.
The last C-17 military transport flight departed Kabul’s airport at 11:59 p.m. local time. The commanding general of the US military’s 82nd Airborne Division and diplomat Ross Wilson were onboard.
During an afternoon news conference, the Pentagon said that not one “single service member” from the US remains in the country. Since August 14, 6,000 American citizens have been evacuated from Kabul, and 79,000 people have been evacuated by the US. Still, thousands of Afghans were left behind.
“I’m here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan,” General Kenneth McKenzie said. “Tonight’s withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001.”
The Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, as former president Ashraf Ghani fled the country. The US was able to maintain control of the airport amid the chaos of trying to get Americans and Afghans out of the country ahead of the August 31 deadline set by President Joe Biden.
Despite withdrawing entirely from Afghanistan, the Biden administration remains committed to continuing to help people leave the country.
BREAKING: CENTCOM Commander Gen. McKenzie announces completion of U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending 20 years of war.
"No words from me could possibly capture the full measure of sacrifices and accomplishments of those who served," he says https://t.co/iVyRSHED1J pic.twitter.com/0aAF0y9hCW
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 30, 2021
